Morning journal and courier., 1887-08-17
FIREmEN OF CONNECTICUT.

FIREMEN OF CONNECTICUT.
State Firemens' ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
iy Attended-Banquet rendered In
the Evening by the Meriden Depart.
ment to the Visiting Delegates-GOv-
ernor LounsburY Speaks-President
A. G. Hendricks Responds-Gratify-
ing Reports.
AT the State fremen's convention in Mer-
iden last evening large crowd assembled in
the Town hall to partake of the banquet to
be given by the Meriden fire department.
-Four hundred fremen and guests were there,
and in the gallery were about six hundred
more as spectators, who listened to the many
| good things which were eaid. The Meriden
band played an opening selection, after which
Chief I. B. Hyatt welcomed the delegates in
hearty and telling words.
Grace was said by Rev A. T. Randall,
after which the military band gave selec-
ton from Erminie. The devouring of the
different viands, which included almost
l everything imaginable, consumed much
| time. The leading ones of the association
| and the prominent invited guests occupied a
long table just in front of the stage. 1t was
| after . o'clock when President Hendrick
| was introduced, and he offered the first toast
on the estate Firemen's Association" He
spoke powerfully and effectively of the noble
deeds of our brave heroes in the war; and of
the self sacrificing devotion to duty's call of
our brave fremen, and then speaking of the
Connecticut State Firemen's association said:
The service was becoming recognized as
more and more honorable as time elapses
The perilous work of the firemen in saving
property and even life was appropriately
touched upon and suitable words of eulogy
he
Too often are we informed by the click of
the wires that fireman is killed. Should
we not be more and more proud of such
record? Should we not SO act that our con-
duct will at all times be above reproach from
our citizens and gain that confidence reposed
in US by those who place SO grave response
bility in our hands? 1t was by the good
conduct and bravery of Connecticut fremen
that organized this association and made its
influence felt from one end of the State to
the other, and the grand result in less than
two short years that caused our legislature
to perform service in keeping with its many
other good and humane acts, to assist pecu-
niarily those in our fire departments who,
while in the performance of duty, are rem
dered incapable of attending to their regular
business. Certainly the State of Connecticut
may be classed far above others in such
noble recognition of its fremen; and well
may We as its representatives, continue with
hearts full of thankfulness to the counsellors
of our commonwealth.
The Connecticut State Firemen's associa-
ton, though young in years, has, I trust
and pray, future as bright as the MONDAY
sun. And it remains for US, and those who
may succeed US, to do all that our feeble
efforts can do to secure to our successors all
that has been done for the association by its
numerous friends. The arduous duty of
fireman is more cheerfully performed when
he knows that if injured or taken sick from
such service he will be taken care of, and his
family will receive substantial aid if the hus-
band is taken from them.
The funds of the association have been
the means during the past year, as the re-
ports of the officers show, of distributing
thousands of dollars to the disabled fremen,
also to the fatherless children of one de-
ceased. In closing, permit me to return the
thanks of this association to Chief Hyatt and
our friends of the Meriden fire department
for the very hospitabls manner in which the
delegates have been entertained.
Captain Chris Hall, the brave St. Louis
fireman, with two others of that department
was killed last Wednesday by falling wall.
He was the organizer of the Life Saving corps
in the New York, Chicago and Milwaukee
fire departments, as well as the one in st.
Louis 1t was my pleasure to witness an
exhibition given by his skillful corps during
the sitting of the national convention of fire
engineers at Cincinnati in 1881, and Captain
Shaw, the chief of the London fire brigade,
pronounced it the finest exhibition of life
saving corps he ever witnessed. The mem
DRY of Chris Hall will always remain green
among the fremen of America; may his |
family never want for the comforts and ne
cessaries of this world.
The Meriden Saengerbund then came upon
the scene and entertained the audience with |
a most delightful rendition of songs. There
were twenty five male voices. The magnates
at the long table nodded their heads and
pronounced it one of the finest things they
had ever heard. The hall resounded with
cheers till the dishes on the tables ratified,
and SO long and continued was the cheering
that they responded again.
Chief Hyatt then announced that the sec
ond toast was the " Commonwealth of Con- |
necticut." All eyes were turn ed on Gov |
ernor Lounsbury. After happy Introductory |
words he added:
'sYou ought to have the support and graf |
itude of every citizen, for they should not be |
unmindful that you are waiting and watching |
with a willing heart to brave the perils of a
fire. This is not distinctively denomina
tional body. 1t is not political organiza- |
ton. When I was young was taught that
it was not, strictly speaking, religious
body. (Cheers) Be that as it may, it is
composed of manly men, it is composed of
self-sacrifcing men, who rejoice in the pres
ervation of life and are ready at all times to
peril their lives for those who are in the |
flames. 1t is pleasure to think that the
body of men. I hope and pray that God
may bless you all. thank you, one and all,
and will bid you good night. Great cheer |
!ng)
The audience then had the pleasure of
listening to Miss Susie Drew, who read s'The
Firemen's Prayer" Miss Drew displayed
marked elecutionary power, and SO great
and prolongued the applause, even after she
had acknowledged the compliment, she was
forced to recite another piece.
After the toast, "The City of Meriden,"
by Mayor Davis, which was we'll receive, fol-
lowed by singing by quartettee, the follow
ing was the programme, and it was success
fully carried out:
american Rs'DoDss D, Ss r1on
1.-The Fire Alarm Telegraph" Response by W.
G. Riggs. superintendent.
Grand Potpourrie Fair Doye.
Our Legislators. Response bg Senator E. J. Doc
s song Meriden ssengerbund
Spouse by DIR. ]. H. Osborn, Chief Southington
Fire Department
The UNDERWRITERS. Response by A. Chamberlain,
President Meriden Fire Insurance W company
The Press Response SEs BY y" F. Graham FLYNN
The Ladies, Response by chas. H. Sawyer.
March Aud Lang Syne." Military Band
The following New Haven iremen were
present as delegates: G. H. Hilton, E. l.
Barrett, w. H Hubb ,rd, J. S. Sanford, I'd,
R. R. Worrell, c. T. Langley, H. futile, H.
W. De Forest, ]. w. Stoddard, J. j. Brad
mack.
Colonel White was also present and occu-
pied an honored place at the head table.
THE MORNING SESSION.
The convention of the Connecticut State
Firemen's association opened in Meriden at
1920 yesterday morning in Alfredian Hall
aud was largely attended by the general pub
lie. Mayor Davis welcomed the delegates
and President A. G. Hendrick, of New Ha-
ven responded in behalf of the association.
Among the prominent iremen present who
occupied places on the platform with Presi
dent Hendrick were Vice President Hyatt of
Meridsn, Nicholas Staub of New Milford, ].
B. Carrier of Norwich, A. J. Kennedy of
New Haven, 81. ]. Eaton of Hartford, G. A.
Daniels of Willimantic, F. w. Wiley of
Middletown, ]. F. Prowitt of Norwalk, ]. b.
Whitlock of West Ansonia, Treasurer S. @.
Snagg OF Waterbury and Secretary J. S. Jones
of Westport.
The morning session was consumed in get
ting ready for business.